Celebramos a los Veteranos: A Festival of Service and Remembrance

Across 250 years of American history, generations of Latinos have served the nation through the U.S. military. Celebramos a los Veteranos: A Festival of Service and Remembrance honors that history while bringing together veterans, service members, families and communities to reflect on what it means to serve. Presented by the National Museum of the American Latino at the National Museum of American History, the festival will explore stories of military service across generations—from Admiral David Glasgow Farragut to Colonel Marisol Chalas and veterans serving today. Through conversations with veterans, service members and military historians; historical tributes; a pop-up exhibition; and participation from veterans organizations nationwide, the program will examine the many ways Latino service has shaped American military history. Visitors will also experience the music of military and civic life, exploring how marching bands, patriotic music and other musical traditions have become part of the American soundscape. A special story booth will invite veterans to record their own recollections of military service and reflect on why they served. Presented in collaboration with the American GI Forum, American Latino Veterans Association, Hispanic Veterans Leadership Alliance, and the League of United Latin American Citizens.